Annabelle Joy's diary

[Almost Eden]

Hey AJ,

Sorry I haven't popped in for so long. I have been having a lot of trouble with the forum...but by the looks of things it likes me again. Bugger on not going down today. I am sure a loss is in the post though. Keep up the fantastic work and keep on being wonderful you. Hugs and stuff

AE.

[keishu]

AJ I was thinking of you yesterday while I was at Coles doing the old grocery shop and thinking to myself - 'why on earth did I start this when mangoes are out of season???' A trap for young players me thinks!! The ones on sale for $3.95 just don't look right so I'm going to forgo the delicious sounding snack and have it in summer when I'm swanning about in a bikini by the pool in a tropical paradise... oops I think I got a little off track just then....

Don't worry about no loss today - if you didn't eat till 10.30pm then your poor body wouldn't have had time to metabolise all the food in your gut. I noticed your ticker is looking like it's on the downward slide - how exciting is that!! I feel like I have been on this for so long now and I can't believe it has only been two weeks. I guess the interaction with the forum makes the experience more intense than if I had been just going it alone.

Better get a little bit of work done. I hope you had a nice day.

Steph x

[Time4Me]

AJ,

YOU ARE WONDERFUL~!!!

Thats all I wanted to say~!

Cheers Barb~!

[Butterfly_girl]

Hey AJ,

Just checking in - you really have had quite a bit to celebrate in terms of losses! Good for you. We know the next big drop is coming... so I'm getting the dancing nana's warmed up in anticipation.

[traceyc]

Hi AJ

Thank you so much for your reply in my diary. I know you are all routing for me and I love everyone here for that.
Yes Iam lucky that he is willing to go for help. It was either that of the big D word. Iam not willing to just let things slide down the tube before I have tried to save it. Much like my diet, thats why Iam still on it.
Thought I had damaged my hormones by my cheat, but thank goodness I started my monthly today. I was so relieved that it wasnt damage

You all on this site make life so much easier for me, thank you.

Hope you have a super evening

Lots of hugs
Tracey xx

[sundaymorningstaple]

AJ, I might be finishing true enough, but I'm not going anywhere for quite as it's my way of giving something back if I can.

But I have to agree, our loses and general progression through this thing as been almost spooky in it's closeness. I have to wonder though, if your exercising (even though it's light) coupled with the almost weekly fiasco at the Winery are tending to slow you down. I've gone through the program so far absolutely 100% deviation free (deliberate or otherwise). I don't have any experience with real diet programs (this is my first and hopefully only one) but I reckon Dr. Cohen's 25 years of study and data has to account for something and I also think that what he advises is for a valid reason that I may or may not understand but I put my trust in him so I'm not doing anything differently than is recommended. Program costs so much here is another reason for me not to gamble with it.

Anyway, you can be sure I'll be here cheering you along all the way to the finish line! You go girl. (Also, don't wear yourself out stressing about visiting all the posts daily. That could also be having an effect without you even knowing it.

[shell]

Hi AJ,

Hope you get a nice loss today!

Have a great day
Shell

Hey AJ,

So glad to hear you are having some great losses!

Sorry to hear about your day at the winery it sounded chaotic! YOu must have been up all night, hope your week slows down from here on in.

I'm struggling with defending what my goal weight should be too as everyone has an opinion and sometimes its the ones with a lot to lose that cant zip it! I just say i'll stop when i am happy....

Hope you have a great day and try to relax eh??

Sum

[Annabelle Joy]

No change again. I guess this is my usual sort of week -- a reasonable fall over the weekend period and nothing much in between.

A funny story from yesterday. I thought as I put on an old bra yesterday that I might have to consider buying something that fitted better. At the gym I was doing a stretching exercise at the end that involved arching my shoulders back -- and my bra came undone. Later in the day I was telling Erica, demonstrated what I had been doing, and it happened again! There's not enough of me around the upper midriff any more to provide the tension needed to keep it fastened when I do that

Yesterday I went to the gym, went to lunch, had coffee with Erica on the way home and generally had a quiet day. I put yesterday's client off until tomorrow. Today I'm going to the winery, but hoping I can actually spend the day in the office as I'm expecting someone else to be in the restaurant who can do the tastings. It's pretty quiet on Tuesdays at this time of year.

As I mentioned above, I had coffee with Erica yesterday. She's looking fantastic. You can clearly see the benefits of the Cohen diet in her skin and hair, in addition of course to the weight loss. Anyone who has an opportunity to meet with other forum members, I urge you to try to do so. No one understands what you're going through like someone who's doing the same thing. There's no shortage of things to talk about -- how you're all doing, what you're experiencing, discussions on the forum, ... The list goes on and on.

I'm running a bit late today, so will come back and finish this evening.

Have a lovely day, everyone.

AJ

[lucylou]

Hi AJ

Definitely time for a new bra, we can't have you coming undone all over the place! I'm glad you're going to have a quieter day today, I'm certainly one for taking it as easy as possible while doing Cohens, this is my focus. Naturally we still have to go to work and do all the other necessary things but if I can leave something until another time then I'm more than happy do do just that.

lots of love

LL

[Almost Eden]

Sounds like your just crusing along AJ,

Good on you for meeting up with Ez...I know she could use the ear at the moment. I would love to catch up with forum members more...but time and shift constraints make it kinda difficult. Ah well...that's life I guess. Anyway that's all. Hugs and all that...and thanks for your post...I really appreciate it. I hope you have a good day at work. Bye bye

AE.

[thenewvee]

Hi AJ!

I see I have to do some extra dancing up on the tables with Barb to celebrate your fantastic loss this last week!! Congratulations on them and the new discoveries!


Gee, I get caught up in other things for a few days and it seems it is all happening for everyone!! Icouldn't be happier for you AJ, as getting the results and being so patient for them, is what really counts!!
YAY for AJ!!!

Vee

[Jenniwren]

Hi AJ,
Well I think it's time for a sexy lacy new bra,
well done on your losses lately.
Cheers jenni

[Annabelle Joy]

I spent the day at the winery. I did work in the office all day, but it was actually a very stressful day, in quite a different way to when I'm on my feet all day. I won't go into any details, but because I become involved in the problems of others rather than anything directly related to me. I could really have used a drink (or a bottle) tonight In addition, I received an email this morning from a friend who is about to get a divorce, never a pleasant situation.

Going back first to yesterday's posts in my diary, thanks everyone. Individual replies below.

Good to have you back, AE. I think that it would be great if we could all meet up on a weekly basis, but who has that sort of time?

Steph, the Mexican mangoes are expensive, but do taste okay. I eat a quarter each time because of the cost. They were on special this week, down to $2.50. I did wait two hours before going to bed the other day. I'm often up that late anyway, but didn't like having to stay up that late

Thank you so much, Barb. You gave me a smile. You're pretty good yourself. .

Thanks, BFG. I love those dancing nanas. I hope I need them soon, but after today I'm not expecting I'll need them tomorrow.

Tracey, you must be under some stress at the moment. I hope you can get de-stressed very soon. We all make this journey easier for each other. Recently, I seem to keep wondering where I'd be now if not for the forum. My consultant is great, but I only see her once a month.

Having you around won't be quite the same, SMS, when you're not keeping company with me on the losses. I really don't think the gym has had any negative effect on my losses. I started there because I was having such slow losses. If anything, the last few weeks have been slightly better. I was told that the reason Dr. C. says we're not to exercise was because we don't eat enough calories to include exercise. I discussed it with my consultant and she thought for me it was a good idea. By my calculation, I'm using a little over 200 calories in that half hour, compared with maybe 75-100 calories if I wasn't doing it. I think the real problem is that my life is so sedentary that I don't use enough calories in a day for bigger losses. At times you are probably right about the forum. I do sometimes have nights I'm definitely up too late.

Thanks, shell. No loss today. I think I'll have to wait for the end of the week as usual.

Sum, I was telling my psychologist friend yesterday about the way people think my goal was too low. BTW, she and another friend (both very thin) thought I didn't have 18 kgs to lose until I told them what I currently weigh. Anyway, she explained that we all consider ourselves to be 'normal'. Thus, most people judge, for example, tall or short against their own height. Similarly, too fat and too thin are judged against what they are (or perhaps would like to be).

You're right, LouLou. The less stress in our lives at the moment the better. Stress releases adrenalin, and adrenalin causes the body to try to store fat. In many ways I'm a relaxed person, however there are times when I do put myself under stress.

Thanks, Vee. It won't be long before you and Barb will be looking for poles or laps to liven up your dancing.

Thanks, Jenni. I do have a couple of tighter bras I'm hoping will hold me a bit longer (just realised that has a double meaning). I'd rather not buy any now and have to discard them in a short time.

Off to see what everyone else is up to. I need a bit of diary reading tonight to help me calm down and de-stress.

AJ

[ConnieK..]

Hey there AJ,

Sorry to hear you are doing it tough today, and I hope you are wrong about the effects hon.

Being a support to anyone going through a divorce is never easy and the stress of the day to day added to that is not good.

I hope you are feeling better and get a loss tomorrow.

Connie

[Stoddy]

Hi AJ

Sorry to hear your day was pretty stressful .. yes these are the times we come home and grab a bottle aren't they .. should I say .. weren't they .. now it is only a bottle of water !!

And what you said was so true about supporting and having to talk to people who are also doing this program (previous post) .. people understand ... others may try but there is nothing like talking to others that really know .. great to see you caught up with Ez ... hope she is doing better too .... we had a bit of a catch up in Darwin tonight ..... only 4 of us .. but it was still great to talk to people and compare notes and recipes etc etc

Hope tomorrow is a much brighter day !!

[Annabelle Joy]

The scales weren't very cooperative (read consistent) this morning, but I think I'm down 400 gms. Yesterday's stressful day didn't have the sort of negative effect I expected. Maybe I need more days like that. Today should be fairly relaxed.

We have to see family in Melbourne, going tomorrow, and I've agreed, rather reluctantly, that we'll go out to dinner while we're there. I'm going to phone the chef and see if I can negotiate a meal weighed and cooked to my specifications. I've recently negotiated baked chicken breast with a spinach and mushroom salad dressed with balsamic for a 40th wedding anniversary party we're going to Saturday week. It will be interesting to see if both work out.

Thanks for calling in, Connie and Stoddy. Well, I did get a loss, Connie. The day was stressful, but I didn't retain fluid with it. I haven't spoken with my friend yet. I didn't have time yesterday, hope to today. She married this husband only months after her first husband died after a long battle with cancer. We never liked the new one, but she seemed very happy. She was a wealthy woman and the new husband had nothing. From her email message, it seems the new husband will be rather better off after the divorce.

It is great to catch up with others on the programme, Stoddy, and you don't need a big group. I think that to do the diet you have to immerse yourself in it (plan ahead for meals, weigh everything, etc.); it's uppermost in your mind a lot of the time. Therefore, getting together with even one other Cohenite you find there is no lack of things to talk about, particularly if they are members of the forum too.

Have a lovely day everyone.

AJ

[Almost Eden]

WELL DONE ON THE 400gms DOWN AJ

What a fantastic effort...and in the face of adversity. You a superstar...I have said it befor. I'm so glad the scales are being kind. With any luck there are a few more deliveries of great losses in the post. You deserve it for all the good karma you are sure to be collecting. I guess it doesn't really work like that does it. Anywho...well done. Bye bye

AE.

[traceyc]

Hi AJ

So sorry to hear your life has been stressful too, what a pitty cause you are the nicest person I have ever met. You are so caring and compationate with others. I really hope things get less stressful and you have a whole month full of carefree days.
Your friend must be going through a difficult time. Can you belive that the soon to be ex will be better off now than he was before he married her. That really can make one very angry a big hug to your friend for me.
Well done on the weight loss, Iam so happy for you
Yes you are so right beign in an unhappy marriage is unhealthy. I would however like to work on it thats why we are going for help. I cant just throw in the towel now. If I didnt love him anymore that would be a different story. We both come from broken homes, so we know no better. We never had any examples of what a good marriage should be like or how to treat one another with respect. Its been tough for the both of us. We both dont want to be another statistic of divorce. I must say its been tough writting down from when I was young till now for the doctor. Maybe the writting down of what has happened in our lives helps us heal. Time will tell and I will obviously keep you up to date on what is happening. We first thought he could have Bipolar and were very relieved when the doc told us he doesnt. Bipolar runs in 2 of his family members so we were very worried about that. Turns out we misdiagnosed him by ourselves, thank goodness for trained proffesionals.

Oh on the subject of the magnesium and calcium I think you got that one spot on, Iam going to look for another supplement I can add to my diet with those two things in it. My nails are breaking. I know however there is a vitamin B that makes one hungry our consultant told us which one it is but I forgot. Anyway over the weekend Iam going hunting for a good magnesium and calcium supplement. Thanks for that piece of advice, Iam like a sponge and will take any suggestions that anyone on this forum has.

Yes this cold is killing me, I think its all made worse this week. My monthly madam is visiting me and its so painful always has been even though Iam on the pill which should make it lighter. The pill is doing nothing to help and I also thought that if I get thinner then it will also help. Iam wrong.
You know since last year January when I decided I want to get thin I have lost in total including my Cohens effort 42.30kgs I weighed a whopping 150kgs last year january. Iam so proud of all my efforts, I even used to sweat it out in the gym weighing that heafty amount of weight, trust me Cohens is easier.
The best thing about my journey is Iam getting my life back which is so amazing and each month I discover something beautiful about myself.
I wish you could of seen me weighing in at 150kgs I could hardly walk, and yet I didnt realise I was fat...........how weird is that. I thought I looked good

Anyway enough about me, hope you have a super day cause you deserve it. You are one very special lady
Have a super day AJ
lots of hugs to you
Tracey xxxx

[bruni]

Hi AJ..I want to thank you for your kind words in my diary - I just haven't
been around much..so taking the time reading some diaries - have caught up
on my work..need that little time out.

The bra saga is quite funny - yes, you need to buy some sexy new bra's.

In the 20's..yay xx

Also..I bought some new scales - Dick Smith was having a special - $90 and
they include the water % etc..the one's that you have mentioned - I thought that was a bargain..I'm finding this new programme that I'm on is not moving as fast - have to stay positive..in many ways at the moment..

I just don't feel like putting myself first..my friend Jules is on my mind all the time..I get angry then very emotional - I guess that is the norm...

You are a very special lady..you are always kind to all of us and very supportive - so thank you very much again xx